One evening Kenshin is attacked and as he destroys his attacker, his blade sends a spray of blood into the air which fall, like rain onto a woman under a parasol. The woman is Yukishiro Tomoe, a troubled young woman who has come all the way from Edo to Kyoto in search of revenge and meaning.

At the first glimpse of Tomoe, it is obvious that her destiny is somehow intertwined with our hero. Although Kenshin never allowed anyone to see his handiwork, he makes Tomoe an exception and even brings her to an inn after she faints during their encounter. She is almost unrecognizable from her dazed stare the night before, but after a closer look, it is without a doubt that we have seen this woman before. Tomoe is none other than Kiosato's fiancee. When Kenshin and Tomoe flee from Kyoto to another village and disguise themselves as a peasant and his wife, we learn of the raging tempest that is now instilled into her as she finds herself learning to love the swordsman. He, in turn, has begun to develop strong feelings for her, a very dangerous emotion when Tomoe has been employed by soldiers of the shogunate to finally rid themselves of the infamous assassin. When he finds Tomoe gone one day, he learns of her past and assumes her intentions. It is at this moment that we see the parallel between the past and present as Kenshin's fear, confusion and helplessness rivals that of Shinta's as he stood against the marauders. His expression is that of a glassy stare and his journey to the cabin where he is unsure of what to expect is a long one and so full of gorgeous imagery that it is difficult to keep an emotional distance between yourself and the character. When she dies and inscribes the final touch to the cross, she has completed a lesson as enduring as the very scar in that it is always a part of him.

Tomoe's importance to the story is not entirely clear, but there is a significant tone to Kenshin's voice when he speaks of the end of the battle. Her love is what brings out Kenshin's humanity. For the first time, life was not entirely about murder and there might be an end to the use of his sword. This important realization is the mold which casts the future aspects of our hero.

Thus begins the relationship between Kenshin and Kaoru, and although they never kiss or directly admit their feelings for each other, there is no doubt that there is something going on between them. Other people have recognized this special relationship such as Jin'e who kidnapped Kaoru in order to bring out the Battousai from within the wanderer. Although he partly succeeds, Kaoru calls his name and brings him back from the beginning transformation. This power is the perfect indication of Kenshin's affections for the mistress of the dojo and continues to show itself throughout the series. Although it cannot be denied that she is rather harsh toward Kenshin, Kaoru has given him a haven both physically and emotionally, and a seeming family. The wandering life that he has grown accustomed to disappears under her presence and after such a long journey, who wouldn't love the person who gives such a gift?

Perhaps, the reason for Kenshin's slow recognition and actions toward his feelings reflect his history of loving only to lose because of his lifestyle. Even in the middle of the series, Kenshin leaves his companions to pursue Shishio knowing that they would be a weakness and that they would be in danger. When he does so, he says goodbye only to Kaoru, who spends the next days basically moping until she bravely decides to go to Kyoto.